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TMI BlogHong Kong Convention, Ship-Breaking Industries & Green ShipyardsX X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... Hong Kong Convention, Ship-Breaking Industries & Green Shipyards X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... and the emergence of Green Shipyards as part of global sustainable maritime practices. 1. Introduction The ship-breaking industry plays a crucial role in recycling steel and other valuable materials. However, traditional ship-breaking practices-especially beaching methods in countries like India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan-pose serious environmental and health hazards. To address these concerns, t ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... he Hong Kong Convention was adopted to ensure the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships. 🌍 2. The Hong Kong International Convention (HKC) Full Name: The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 Adopted by: International Maritime Organization (IMO) Purpose: To ensure that ships, when being recycled, do not pose un ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... necessary risks to human health and the environment. Key Provisions: * Ships must carry an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM). * Ship recycling facilities must be authorized and certified. * Waste management must be controlled, documented, and compliant with environmental safety standards. * Worker health, safety training, and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory. ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... 3. Status of Ratification (as of 2024) For the Convention to enter into force, it requires: * Ratification by 15 countries (✅ achieved) * Countries representing 40% of the world's merchant shipping tonnage (✅ achieved) * A minimum of 3% of ship recycling volume over the past 10 years (✅ achieved) ✅ The Hong Kong Convention is set to enter into force on June 26, 2025 ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... . ⚙️ 4. Ship-Breaking Industry: Current Scenario Major Ship-Breaking Countries: * India (Alang, Gujarat) * Bangladesh (Chattogram) * Pakistan (Gadani) * Turkey * China (declining due to regulations) Issues with Traditional Ship-Breaking: * Beach-breaking method damages coastal ecosystems. * Unsafe handling of asbestos, heavy metals, PCBs, and oil residues. * High ri ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... sk of accidents, toxic exposure, and fatalities. * Poor waste management and absence of basic safety gear. 🌱 5. Green Shipyards / Green Recycling Yards Green shipyards or compliant recycling yards are facilities that adhere to international safety, environmental, and worker welfare standards. Key Features of Green Shipyards: * Impermeable flooring and drainage systems. * Waste seg ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... regation and in-house treatment of hazardous materials. * Use of cranes and dry-docks instead of beaching. * Trained labor with protective equipment. * Certification under HKC, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, etc. Examples: * India has over 100 HKC-compliant ship recycling yards in Alang. * Turkey operates fully dock-based recycling facilities. * New green yards emerging in China, Norway, and t ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... he EU for dismantling EU-flagged ships. ⚖️ 6. Legal and Policy Framework International Instruments: * Hong Kong Convention (2009) * Basel Convention (Hazardous Waste Movement) * EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR) - requires EU-flagged ships to be recycled at EU-approved yards only. India's National Ship Recycling Act, 2019 * Aligns with the HKC. * Makes IHM and fac ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ility certification mandatory. * Provides for monitoring by DG Shipping, MoEFCC, and state pollution boards. ♻️ 7. Environmental and Economic Benefits of Green Recycling Environmental Benefits: * Reduced ocean pollution and coastal degradation. * Safe handling of asbestos, lead, mercury, and POPs. * Preservation of marine biodiversity and beach ecosystems. Worker Safety: ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... * Lower fatality and injury rates. * Healthier working conditions, lower exposure to carcinogens. Economic Impact: * Boosts export credibility in international markets. * Attracts more EU, Japanese, and Korean flagged vessels. * Long-term cost savings from efficient waste management and reduced litigation. 🚢 8. Challenges in Implementation * High initial investment for upgradin ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... g yards. * Lack of awareness or training among workers. * Inconsistent enforcement in certain countries. * Illegal flags of convenience and end-of-life ship manipulation to avoid HKC requirements. 🔄 9. Future Outlook & Recommendations For Governments: * Provide financial and technical assistance to upgrade facilities. * Strict enforcement of IHM and HKC compliance. * Encourag ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... e public-private partnerships for green yard development. For Ship Owners: * Plan recycling early; select HKC-certified yards. * Maintain complete and accurate IHM. * Disclose end-of-life decisions transparently. For Environmental Bodies: * Monitor coastal and marine pollution levels. * Educate stakeholders on green practices. * Lobby for a universal ban on non-compliant ship-breakin ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... g. ✅ 10. Conclusion The Hong Kong Convention is a game-changing international framework that aims to transform the ship-breaking industry from a hazardous, polluting sector into a safe, sustainable, and regulated one. As we move toward 2025, Green Shipyards will become the new standard, and countries that embrace this shift will lead the way in ethical and eco-friendly maritime recycling. ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X .....
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